What is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting?

There is a major misconception that cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are all the same exact thing. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Read further to learn the differences between each, and why it matters!

What is Cleaning?

Cleaning is the act of removing dirt, dust, grime, clutter, etc. and does remove some level of germs in the process. However, standard cleaning is mostly focused on tasks such as dusting, wiping down counters and other surfaces, cleaning toilets/sinks, vacuuming/mopping, and so on. Essentially cleaning is the removal of visible dirt and debris, which in the process does remove some germs. Basic cleaning is typically sufficient for the majority of clients’ needs. The standard and especially deep cleaning services that Evergreen Cleaning Company provides takes things a step further, and typically major touch points get extra attention and are more thoroughly sanitized. Keep in mind that cleaning is a vital step in the process that cannot be overlooked even if further sanitization and disinfection procedures are planned.

What is Sanitizing and Disinfecting?

Regular cleaning is typically more than sufficient for most residential homes, however, it doesn’t necessarily remove the growth of bacteria on surfaces. It helps reduce the spread of germs/bacteria but does not completely remove or “Kill” bacteria on all surfaces. This is where sanitizing and disinfecting come in. Many people also assume that sanitizing is the same as disinfecting, however, the difference is that sanitizing is reducing the microbial counts to safe levels. While disinfecting destroys or kills 99.99% of all harmful germs, bacteria, and viruses if done properly. For a disinfectant to be effective it must be allowed to sit or “Dwell” for the proper amount of time in order to be fully effective. Always read product labels, wear proper safety equipment, and use all products as they are intended.

Sanitizing should be done on a regular basis in high traffic areas such as the bathroom and kitchen where harmful bacteria tend to live. Our standard cleaning services provide sanitization to these high traffic areas. However, full disinfection is an additional and time-consuming step that is typically not needed under normal circumstances. However, it is a smart idea to thoroughly disinfect after there has been an illness in your home or business, during certain times when viruses spread at a higher rate, with the exposure of COVID-19 it would be suggested that any facility with a high amount of traffic is fully disinfected. Here at Evergreen Cleaning Co., we provide thorough disinfection services using the highest quality equipment and disinfectants. Our electrostatic spraying service is guaranteed to provide the most thorough disinfection service available! To learn more please visit Electrostatic Spraying Info, and we would be more than happy to assist you with your specific needs! We provide free consultations and no-obligation quotes!

Some tips to do at home –

You can sanitize or disinfect surfaces using bleach, disinfectant wipes, or other designated disinfectant solutions. Surfaces can be sanitized using a disinfectant wipe if they are wiped and then visibly wet for 10 seconds before being dried in most cases. Surfaces need to be visibly wet for the time stated on the label to thoroughly disinfect that surface. These times can vary from 60 seconds to 10 minutes. All surfaces that food is handled on should be wiped clean after the disinfectant has been applied and sat for the appropriate amount of Dwell time.

Here at Evergreen, we are all about using all-natural solutions as much as possible! A simple solution of vinegar and lemon juice can provide an effective sanitizer to reduce bacteria ( Additional ingredients such as baking powder or essential oils can also be added if desired), although it should not be considered a disinfectant. The vinegar and lemon juice contain acids that have antimicrobial effects that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. This simple mixture can be very useful, and will clean as well as kill some bacteria, but should not be used in place of an EPA approved disinfectant if you want to ensure your home or business is fully rid of all germs, bacteria, and viruses.

To Summarize:

Cleaning - the removal of visible soil, debris, microorganisms and organic substances from surfaces; will not eliminate germs but reduces their numbers by removing some contaminated matter.

Sanitizing - the reduction of bacteria to safe levels (set by public health standards) to decrease the risk of infection; may not kill all viruses.

Disinfection - the elimination of pathogens and disease-causing microorganisms, except bacterial spores.

To ensure a safe and hygienic environment, whether that is your home or workplace, it is important to complete a thorough regimen of all techniques from basic cleaning to disinfecting as needed!

As mentioned, the vast majority of homes and businesses will be perfectly safe as well as clean without the use of disinfectants. Simply cleaning/sanitizing is typically more than sufficient to maintain a safe facility under normal circumstances.

However, with the fairly recent outbreak of COVID-19, adding a thorough disinfection service is highly recommended, especially to any properties that have a high level of traffic, such as gyms, restaurants, offices of all kinds, and much more! The application method of disinfectants also plays a large factor in how effective they are. This is why we use electrostatic spraying equipment to ensure that we can provide full 360-degree coverage of whether we are disinfecting an average-sized home or a 250,000 square foot facility! As always, our cleaning technicians wear the proper PPE/safety equipment to ensure the safety of not only themselves, but all of our clients as that is our number one priority! We also continue to stay up to date with the most recent information from the CDC and EPA, while furthering our education as much as possible by taking all available courses!

If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below!